Afolabi Olabisi Esther – Assessments

As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Afolabi Olabisi Esther (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea the author is trying to convey in this book is the power of thoughts. The book basically opens one up to the fact that one’s thoughts are very powerful as they affect our very existence as humans; every experience in one’s life are a product of our thoughts.

2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.

i. Man can control his thoughts.

It is established that a man’s thought eventually informs his experiences, but the usual problem that I have faced and same with a lot of us is that it appears that we have no control over the thoughts and really we excuse wrong thoughts by saying, “but they are my thoughts, It is what it is, this is what I am experiencing.” I have learned this over the years’. Sometimes one may even hinge them on traditional and cultural beliefs passed down from several generations, but I have learned from this book that the expression of a worthy and Godlike character is the outcome of a continuous effort put into thinking right. In other words, we can actually work at thinking the right thoughts thereby experiencing desired outcomes.

ii. The work to be done is associating with the right thoughts (Godlike thoughts).

This statement above generates more questions .How do I associate with the right thoughts? How do I control my thoughts? This book has answered for me, how I can control my thoughts and set them in the right direction. Yes, one can reflect on his condition, how beit negative, however it should be in a manner to achieve fruitfulness, and create the necessary changes .it is to think upon our abilities and the riches in our being .First, man is expected to approve the fact that he is the author and lord of his own life. That is the right way to think and then continuously carry this consciousness, when he does, he will reach in himself his desired place. What I do sometimes is look at my condition and act like that’s the end and let it affect my countenance and progress .but I have learnt here that analysis of my situation is important to know why I got there in the first place and chart a new course of thinking in order to change the condition.

iii. Change in one’s Character equals change in thought

No one acts in vacuum. It is as a result of deposits from surrounding factors that has formed his thoughts .for a man’s character to change therefore, he has to change the things he has around him and by consequence his thoughts and ultimately his character. The wrong approach is to strive to change one’s character .it is better to change your thoughts. As I read this book, I could not help but remember various habits and pattern that I had resolve to break through determination. That has been a wrong battle. The enemy was my thoughts, I should get them renewed.

iv. The mind is meant to be tended and cultivated.

The analogy of the mind as a garden drives home the point that I should be careful what I let into my mind .The mind is a fertile ground, on which any seed can grow .This is why one has to be careful what one plants in it .It presupposes further that even when we do not plant anything on it and it begins to grow like weed .we must never let unwanted and impure thoughts take root. The Seeds we plant are the things we hear, read and see. They germinate into our thoughts .So there has to be a guard in a place keeping the wrong things from coming in and a focus in order to take in the right thing.

v. A man’s Thoughts cannot be kept secret

Our attitude and behavior comes from a chain that started from one’s thoughts which develops into habits which in turn solidifies into circumstances. A mans way of thinking can be diagnosed by his circumstances. I realize that what a lot of us( young people today) call addictions while describing our circumstances comes as a result of dwelling on some wrong thoughts. Violence in our world also came about as a result of hateful thoughts. Same way advocacy for peace have come from self forgetting thoughts and love for other people.

vi. One’s thoughts have a direct effect on the body and its function

I realize that even in my personal life, if I dwell on depressing or less than Godly thoughts .It affects my physical strength and in turn my productivity. I have learned from this book that my thoughts can affect my body even to the extent of illnesses and diseases ,thinking about an illness or the fear of it can attract them. A man’s outward look appearance is a result of his inward disposition. A frown is a result of sad thoughts.

vii. Having a sense of purpose helps channel our thinking in the right direction.

Wandering thoughts can be a result of lack of purpose, a form of vacuum that allows for anything to come in. It is therefore important to find out what one’s purpose is and begin to take steps towards its accomplishment. This would involve strategic thinking on the said undertaking or purpose. It requires detailed thinking analysis and prediction.This occupies your mind and thinking and gives no room for frivolous or harmful thoughts. I realize that on days that I created no plan or direction for my day. I find that a myriad of unnecessary things are the content of my thoughts and action. So this book has taught be to redirect my thoughts by firstly creating a sense a purpose and direction for myself.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
I would appoint an accountability partner who would put me in check when I give voice to foul thoughts in my mind. I realize what I say shows what I am really thinking especially when under pressure, even when I am telling my self otherwise. I will surround my self with the right people, material and contents generally listen to people who are not negative and cultivate my mind with the right seed. I intend to be deliberate about the seeds I let take root in the garden of my heart. I will make a conscious effort not to struggle with anything; bad habits, achievements, ambition .The struggle and real work will be in thinking right thoughts. I will combat wrong thoughts and follow after uplifting thoughts. I intend to create tasks within the day to align with my purpose and vision for a better world .That way my thoughts are fixed on the right things that will bring fruitfulness and accomplishments. I intend to go about the full consciousness that I am the creative power and I can create anything with my thoughts. I will create a daily and worthy watchword or subject per day in order to set my day in the right course.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Thought in the mind hath made us, what we are by thought was wrought and built. If a man’s mind Hath evil thoughts, pain comes on him as comes The wheel the ox behind. If one endure In purity of thought, joy follows him as his own shadow sure.”

This portrays our thoughts as architect of everything we experience, it expresses it as two-edged; having the ability to result into our progress and Joy or retrogression and sadness. Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bad fruit.

“Man is buffeted by circumstances so long as he believes himself to be the creature of outside conditions, but when he realizes that he is a creative power, and that he may command the hidden soil and seeds of his being out of which circumstances grow, he then becomes the rightful master of himself.”

The author calls man a creative power. I found that very profound. He did not say man has creative powers he called man the creative force itself ,which can bring anything about .Things don’t happen to the man that understands this .he makes things happen.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

I do not agree with the following statement. “Suffering is always the effect of wrong thought in some direction It is an indication that the individual is out of harmony with himself, with the Law of his being.”

I do not completely agree “that people’s thoughts are always responsible for their unfavorable circumstances .I understand and agree that our thoughts have a very great impact on our experiences .that is why I will keep my thoughts pure and aligned .However some things happen to people that are entirely out of their control, such as Natural disasters and Government policies. In my opinion we cannot conclude that their thoughts attracted these occurrences to them. The Quality of their thoughts could help them get through it faster or help their disposition while going through these issues but I am not inclined to believe that an earthquake was caused by the thinking of the victims. It is very sad in fact that some people die in the process, they do not get the opportunity to change the course of their lives.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No, the book didn’t contain exercises for readers to complete.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No, there are no such comments.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A. How interesting was it to read? 8
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 7
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8

Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Afolabi Olabisi Esther (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The major point that redounds through this book is the Boundlessness of man.
I must admit that at a point while reading, I thought to myself Jonathan Seagull had done the best he could .I thought he has made his point, he must definitely the greatest seagull that ever lived. My first shock however came when he actually took flight just as a falcon would have done ,breaking a milestone .The greatest shock however came to me when I met the Sullivan and the Elder in the course of reading the book . They outdid Jonathan. I concluded; “There is no end to our possibilities.” There are heights to be attained, worlds to conquer and lives to build. The story of Jonathan doesn’t cancel the presence of challenges but it also explains to us that they are not stoppers, they have no power to keep us from being all we can be. I am also not oblivious to the fact he stayed thinking, searching and brooding and as he did more doors of ideas and possibilities flooded open.

2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.

i. People have expectations for and from us, we don’t however have to adopt those expectations.

I have learned that people around us could have strong beliefs and perceptions of our lives, how we should be living and what we should be doing .Even the closest people that we expect support from in the course of our lives might not give it; simply because their idea of progress and life is limited by their minds .The general expectation from a seagull was feeding and keeping safe .Jonathan’s parents shared the same expectation for him and demanded it from him. I can relate to this as a young lawyer whose aspiration is to contribute my quota to making Education effective in my country, Nigeria which demands that I build my career around social development but unfortunately every other person holds different expectations such as getting a job in a top tier law firm other than give value first and start the process of change that I want to see. This definitely doesn’t align with my aspirations and goals. Jonathan however taught me that because its general or comes from a respected source doesn’t make it right. He created his expectations, met them and surpassed them as he saw fit. I intend to do same.

ii. One has to define what success means to him.

A portion of the book that brought this home was when he was invited to “stand to center” at the council gathering, Being summoned to that place is usually as a result of a person’s success or failure. Jonathan was so sure he had been summoned because he had succeeded and that for sure he was summoned to be given some accolades since he has broken some record. Ironically every other person in his flock thought he was a successful failure. He was “successful” enough to be banished from the flock. Another striking point is that this could have been the end for this seagull. He could have thrown all his work away because his family and clan did not think he was successful or that his work meant anything .He however acted differently, our hero forged ahead accomplishing more than he ever did. His definition of success was different. It was more than survival as it was for the other birds. Success meant flying limitlessly to Jonathan. He didn’t want to be told what he could do, he wanted to experience it by himself.

iii. Determination

I learnt that success answers to determination, this has boosted my confidence and courage to keep at endeavors I had previously failed in. I put my hands on some community development projects last year and made several grave mistakes which led me to conclude not to try anymore or put my self in such position again. But I see now that the mistakes are exactly why I should keep trying because as I learn from them .It will help me get better as I strive towards excellence .Jonathan failed many times while he was trying to practice new flying techniques but he did not stop .I am inclined to think that the failures actually pushed Jonathan to better ideas and helped him to create solutions that made him stand out .He thought about his past performance ,noticed the mistakes, corrected them and got better results. He didn’t give up.

iv. The most courageous and determined person can have low moments. It becomes a problem when we stay there.

This particularly encourages me as sometimes when I have low moments or inadequate motivation, I feel like beating myself up and in other extreme circumstances when I over think the circumstances. I feel like a total failure. Jonathan felt the same way at some point he got to that “what’s the point?” stage where he wondered why he couldn’t just be ordinary .He however did not stay at that low point .He encouraged himself, his goal encouraged him , he got up and was moving again. He was adept at self motivation and achieved success.

v. Setting new standards may mean standing alone at the time to make things work.

A lot of people may not buy in into an idea or may consider it outrageous. It is best to have it at the back one’s mind that he might have to stand alone howbeit for a while. Till you work out the ideas to the point of success and make the Thomases realize that it is quite possible. This points to self motivation and the need to keep pushing one’s self.

vi. The importance of Mentors.

The entrance of Sullivan and the Elder into Jonathan’s life was a beginning of new era for him .Jonathan’s mentors did not give him new abilities, they only set them in motion ,they helped him to discover new heights in his thinking , which led to new heights in achievement .It is therefore important to find people who have towed the path one wishes to tow and learn from them. Interestingly, Jonathan didn’t stop at learning, he reciprocated; also raising disciples and that was what made his impact and revolution effective and wide reaching.

vii. Love should be the motivation for our actions.

This seemed to be the hardest lesson for Jonathan Seagull to learn .He came back to the flock not because he wanted to show off his skills. His sole aim was to raise disciples and replicate himself, trying to mirror to them how far they can also reach. However, his love for the flock did not equal sentiments, he came back and further stayed against their supposed wish. He trained right over their heads and showed examples of what he was sure they could become, thereby inspiring other seagulls to fly higher.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

First, I am determined to follow the inner nudging of my heart as opposed to what people expect from me .I intend to fully pursue my career in social development despite oppositions, and create an example for other young lawyers who are afraid to take the bold step to follow after the desired change and a difference.

Second, I am minded to learn from my mistakes and use them as stepping stone and not as an opportunity to quit. I intend to make a list of things that I did wrong while working on previous projects and work at not repeating the mistakes the next time.

In addition, I will ensure that I set new goals for myself. I will also set higher and more defined standards and start taking on new challenges. Finally, I will go after learning Just as Jonathan did ,especially as it relates to my new standards and goals .I will also map out a strategy to teach more people as I learn ,helping them grow thereby expanding my impact in my immediate environment and globally.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you’ll see the way to fly.”

Jonathan Seagull in this book seems to validate this point. Every move he made started with a thought and an Idea; it started first in his mind. He did not look at his circumstances of physical limits .This explains that we already are and have all we need to get to our desired goals and aspirations, we only need to give them expression by liberating our thought. Seagull did not get extra ability, he got some outside push; stretching, motivation and help but all he did, he could already do from the beginning.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

There are none.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No, the book did not contain exercises for readers to complete.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

It is important that as pacesetters we continue to reach for knowledge. You can not take people to where you have not been. The teacher is that one that goes before his students, Jonathan taught all he did only because he already learned them. We have to keep learning and growing. I also think it is important to teach others what we know, pour into others deliberately and watch them make impact .One cannot overemphasize the effect of external influence on people’s growth. This is how we expand impact.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10